Tampa Bay Rayshttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/tampa-bay-rays
en-usFri, 18 Aug 2017 01:58:30 -0400Fri, 18 Aug 2017 01:58:30 -0400The latest news on Tampa Bay Rays from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/tampa-bay-sports-franchises-donate-move-confederate-statue-2017-8Tony Dungy and Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, and Lightning are donating to help cover the cost of relocating Confederate statuehttp://www.businessinsider.com/tampa-bay-sports-franchises-donate-move-confederate-statue-2017-8
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 17:44:17 -0400Tyler Lauletta
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5996055eb0e0b5da098b5bf4-915/tony-dungy.jpg" alt="Tony Dungy" data-mce-source="Scott Halleran/Getty Images"></p><p>Tony Dungy and the sports franchises of Tampa Bay are all chipping in to help pay for the relocation of a Confederate statue that currently sits outside a local county courthouse.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/274191977-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a local Fox affiliate</a>, the move was initially planned after a commission voted 4-2 that <span>the Florida Daughters of the Confederacy could relocate the monument to the Brandon Family Cemetery, with the key note that no public funds could be used in the process. </span></p>
<p><span>The move is estimated to cost $280,000 and efforts to fundraise had not been very successful until former Buccaneers coach and current Tampa-area citizen Tony Dungy stepped up and brought some attention to the issue, pledging $5,000 to the cause and challenging the Rays, Lightning, and Buccaneers to help out with funds as well.</span></p>
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Our County says private $$ must be raised to move Confederate statue. Lauren and I are in for $5K. We challenge Bucs Rays Lightning to help! <a href="https://t.co/dGRd1BTFkp">pic.twitter.com/dGRd1BTFkp</a> </p>— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/898202046989553665">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p>Dungy's donation came after the commission put a deadline on the statue's removal, adding urgency to the fundraising effort. Just a few hours later, the teams answered the call, releasing a joint statement:</p>
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A joint statement from the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays: <a href="https://t.co/A825Lj0a1M">pic.twitter.com/A825Lj0a1M</a> </p>— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/898247124252602368">August 17, 2017</a>
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<p>While it's still not clear if the final financial goal has been met and if so, when the relocation would take place, with the support of Dungy and the sports franchises bringing the issue into wider awareness, it looks likely that the move will take place.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/derek-jeter-reportedly-has-plans-to-remove-marlins-home-run-sculpture-2017-8" >Derek Jeter reportedly has plans to remove divisive home run sculpture from Marlins stadium</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tampa-bay-sports-franchises-donate-move-confederate-statue-2017-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dara-torres-retired-olympic-swimmer-full-body-gym-routine-2017-8">The full-body gym routine this retired Olympic swimmer does to stay in amazing shape</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archers-astros-mascot-water-balloon-fight-2017-8Chris Archer's feud with the Astros' mascot escalated into a water-balloon fighthttp://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archers-astros-mascot-water-balloon-fight-2017-8
Thu, 03 Aug 2017 10:46:48 -0400Tyler Lauletta
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/59808d7d4528e61d218b5b5f-800/1.jpg" alt="Chris Archer and Orbit" data-mce-source="Chris O'Meara/AP;Scott Halleran/Getty Images"></p><p></p>
<p>The ongoing feud between Rays pitcher Chris Archer and Astros mascot Orbit continues to escalate.</p>
<p>The rivalry between the two dates back to at least 2015, when Orbit <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/633793063085830144" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">compared Archer to Jaden Smith</a>, noting both their similar appearances and Twitter habits. Then, just a few days ago, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archer-declaration-of-unfriendliness-astros-mascot-orbit-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Archer issued Orbit a </a><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archer-declaration-of-unfriendliness-astros-mascot-orbit-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Declaration of Unfriendliness"</a> in which he resolved to carry out "a campaign of PRANKS, GAGS AND HIGH JINKS (sic)" on the mascot.</span></p>
<p><span>Archer wasted no time in making good on his promise. On Wednesday night, Archer approached Orbit with what looked like a playful peace offering — <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/892900219330887680" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a framed diploma from the University of Raymond</a>, implying that he had learned everything he knew from the Rays' mascot.</span></p>
<p><span>But it was all a setup. As soon as Orbit stood for a series of photos with his diploma, he was ambushed by some of Archer's foot soldiers who were hiding in the dug out wielding water balloons. Orbit took a few good shots, but was prepared for the uprising, tearing off his jersey to reveal a second jersey protected by a poncho. He also scrambled to pick up a water gun which he used to douse some watery revenge on the Rays.</span></p>
<p><span>You can watch video of the exchange shared by the Astros below.</span></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It's becoming an all-out war. <a href="https://t.co/xI8ToArU7X">pic.twitter.com/xI8ToArU7X</a></p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/892896766416347136">August 2, 2017</a>
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<p>The Rays and Astros wrap up their season series Thursday night, and there's no doubt that both Archer and Orbit will want to get the best of each other in their last interaction of the season.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cleveland-indians-austin-jackson-catch-2017-8" >Indians center fielder Austin Jackson made one of the best catches you'll ever see</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archers-astros-mascot-water-balloon-fight-2017-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-floyd-mayweather-makes-spends-his-millions-net-worth-conor-mcgregor-boxing-money-luxury-cars-2017-7">How Floyd Mayweather makes and spends his millions</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archer-declaration-of-unfriendliness-astros-mascot-orbit-2017-8Rays pitcher Chris Archer issues 'Declaration of Unfriendliness' against Astros mascot after comparison to Jaden Smithhttp://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archer-declaration-of-unfriendliness-astros-mascot-orbit-2017-8
Tue, 01 Aug 2017 10:34:02 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/59808899b50ab1f4018b514d-800/1.jpg" alt="Chris Archer and Orbit" data-mce-source="Chris O'Meara/AP;Scott Halleran/Getty Images"></p><p></p>
<p>Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer took his friendly beef with the Houston Astros mascot to a new level on Monday night.</p>
<p>Archer issued a "Declaration of Unfriendliness" to the prank-minded Orbit.</p>
<p>According to the Declaration, "<span>A STATE OF DISCORD" has existed between the two and Archer vows to retaliate with "a campaign of PRANKS, GAGS AND HIGH JINKS (sic)." You can see the full text of the letter below.</span></p>
<p><span>Here is Archer delivering the letter:</span></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This could get ugly. <a href="https://t.co/JBu2BN18en">pic.twitter.com/JBu2BN18en</a></p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/892176159131275265">August 1, 2017</a>
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<p>It is unclear when Archer became a regular target of Orbit's pranks, but the first high-profile incident occurred in 2015 when Orbit compared Archer to Jaden Smith.</p>
<p>In addition to their Archer's and Smith's similar appearances, the two also like to fill their social media with throught-provoking messages.</p>
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Some people/mascots believe that <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisArcher42">@ChrisArcher42</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/officialjaden">@officialjaden</a> were separated at birth. Those include <a href="https://twitter.com/OrbitAstros">@OrbitAstros</a>. <a href="http://t.co/gZroBpTiWb">pic.twitter.com/gZroBpTiWb</a> </p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/633793063085830144">August 19, 2015</a>
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<p>Orbit later crumpled up the letter and even ate the phone of Rays sideline reporter Alex Corddry when she tried to take a photo of the letter.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look at this monster. <a href="https://t.co/Wt75JOsBuw">pic.twitter.com/Wt75JOsBuw</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/892224047324557312">August 1, 2017</a>
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<p>During Monday's game, Orbit donned a disguise as he tried to sneak up on Archer from behind.</p>
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👀👀👀 <a href="https://t.co/XcJq11ypTz">pic.twitter.com/XcJq11ypTz</a> </p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/892217420676382720">August 1, 2017</a>
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<p>Even fans who wear Archer jerseys are not safe from Orbit.</p>
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Orbit really doesn't like <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisArcher22">@ChrisArcher22</a> or anything of his! <a href="https://twitter.com/OrbitAstros">@OrbitAstros</a> orits on like Donkey Kong! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/teamChris22?src=hash">#teamChris22</a> <a href="https://t.co/J7c267trQm">pic.twitter.com/J7c267trQm</a> </p>— Britney Barber (@SpritneyBarber) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/892240481056428033">August 1, 2017</a>
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<p>Here is the full "Declaration of Unfriendliness," in its crumpled up glory.</p>
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Oh no. <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisArcher22">@ChrisArcher22</a> has delivered his Declaration of Unfriendliness to <a href="https://twitter.com/OrbitAstros">@OrbitAstros</a>. <a href="https://t.co/IyiyJPPlXy">pic.twitter.com/IyiyJPPlXy</a> </p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/892173437581570048">August 1, 2017</a>
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<p>It reads:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"DECLARATION OF UNFRIENDLINESS</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><br>"A state of discord has existed between Chris Archer of the<span> </span><a href="http://www.chron.com/search/?action=search&amp;channel=sports%2Fastros&amp;inlineLink=1&amp;searchindex=solr&amp;query=%22Tampa+Bay+Rays%22">Tampa Bay Rays</a>and Orbit of the<span> </span><a href="http://www.chron.com/search/?action=search&amp;channel=sports%2Fastros&amp;inlineLink=1&amp;searchindex=solr&amp;query=%22Houston+Astros%22">Houston Astros</a>.</p>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"Whereas general mischief and rascality has been among Orbit's repeated trespasses, Chris Archer is hereby resolved to carry on a campaign of pranks, gags and high jinks in retaliation which include, but are not limited to, use of objects such as:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">Water balloons<br>Whipped pies<br>Silly string<br>Small motorized vehicles<br>Bubblegum<br>Hand-crafted signage</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><br>"And any of the considerable resources of a Major League clubhouse."</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/50-most-dominant-athletes-alive-2017-7" >The 50 most dominant athletes alive</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-archer-declaration-of-unfriendliness-astros-mascot-orbit-2017-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dara-torres-retired-olympic-swimmer-full-body-gym-routine-2017-8">The full-body gym routine this retired Olympic swimmer does to stay in amazing shape</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/curtis-granderson-lucas-dudas-trade-rays-2017-7Mets' Curtis Granderson holds onto teammates' leg and shouts 'Don't go!' after he was tradedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/curtis-granderson-lucas-dudas-trade-rays-2017-7
Fri, 28 Jul 2017 09:46:20 -0400Scott Davis
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/597b3b454528e621008b5298-1175/granderson%20duda.png" alt="granderson duda" data-mce-source="wefollowlucasduda/Instagram" data-link="https://www.instagram.com/p/BXEVGavFMKQ/?taken-by=wefollowlucasduda"></p><p></p>
<p>The New York Mets went into a seller mode ahead of the MLB trade deadline, but not everyone was happy about it.</p>
<p>On Thursday, the Mets traded first baseman Lucas Duda to the Tampa Bay Rays for minor-league pitcher Drew Smith.</p>
<p>Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson was not too happy to see Duda go. After the game, a Duda fan account run by Mets players showed Granderson hanging onto Duda's leg as he left the locker room, yelling, "Don't go!"</p>
<p>While a bit sad at its core, Mets players seemed to also enjoy it, laughing as Duda dragged Granderson.</p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BXEVGavFMKQ/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Don't Go Lucas!!!!! Gonna miss you buddy!!!</a>
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<p style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#c9c8cd; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Lucas Duda (@wefollowlucasduda) on Jul 27, 2017 at 3:59pm PDT on
<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-07-27T22:59:39+00:00">Jul 27, 2017 at 3:59pm PDT</time></p>
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</div><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/50-most-dominant-athletes-alive-2017-7" >The 50 most dominant athletes alive</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/curtis-granderson-lucas-dudas-trade-rays-2017-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-conor-mcgregor-makes-spends-money-floyd-mayweather-fight-mma-yacht-suit-2017-8">How Conor McGregor makes and spends his millions</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-catcher-wilson-ramos-staples-broken-bat-to-the-head-2017-7Rays catcher Wilson Ramos had to get 6 staples in his head after getting hit by a broken bathttp://www.businessinsider.com/rays-catcher-wilson-ramos-staples-broken-bat-to-the-head-2017-7
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 11:29:00 -0400Tyler Lauletta
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/597755b8552be5ae088b64e5-1920/screen%20shot%202017-07-25%20at%20102717%20am.png" alt="Wilson Ramos takes broken bat to the helmet" data-mce-source="Fox Sports" data-link="http://www.foxsports.com/florida/video/1008062531789"></p><p></p>
<p>A scary scene unfolded in the fifth inning at Tropicana Field on Monday, as Rays catcher Wilson Ramos took a hit to the head after Ruben Tejada's bat broke while grounding out to second.</p>
<p>The impact of the bat on Ramos' helmet made a loud sound and Ramos was bleeding from the head after the impact, but appeared to be in relatively good shape. Trainers met him at home plate and helped him back into the dugout.</p>
<p>Ramos would later get six staples to the head to close the wound.</p>
<p>You can watch video of the incident below.</p>
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<p>After the game, Ramos appeared to be in high spirits given the circumstances. Taking questions from reporters, Ramos said he was not sure if the doctors would allow him to be available for the next day's game, but he felt like he would be ready to go if needed.</p>
<p>While nothing is official yet, Ramos himself said <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMooney50/status/889680149406515200" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">he'd like to be back in the lineup by Wednesday</a>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball">@RaysBaseball</a> catcher Wilson Ramos gives an update on his status after he left Monday's game with a head laceration. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaysUp?src=hash">#RaysUp</a> <a href="https://t.co/26oliPi9Fb">pic.twitter.com/26oliPi9Fb</a></p>— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsFL/status/889679876235579396">July 25, 2017</a>
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<p> </p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-training-camp-power-rankings-2017-7" >NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand going into training camp</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-catcher-wilson-ramos-staples-broken-bat-to-the-head-2017-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jj-redick-free-throw-shooters-nba-history-2017-8">A top NBA shooter reveals why players struggle with free throws</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-avoid-game-of-thrones-spoilers-2017-7Evan Longoria wrote a plea in the Rays' locker room hoping to avoid 'Game of Thrones' spoilershttp://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-avoid-game-of-thrones-spoilers-2017-7
Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:35:17 -0400Tyler Lauletta
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/597660aa552be54f008b6365-1200/longo.jpg" alt="Evan Longoria" data-mce-source="Leon Halip/Getty Images"></p><p></p>
<p>While we like to think of athletes as larger than life superstars whose lives are much different from our own, in many cases, the football players we love that take the field on Sunday and the baseball players we watch day in and day out over the summer are just like us.</p>
<p>For instance, Evan Longoria is a big fan of "Game of Thrones," something millions of Americans can relate to on a personal level.</p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BWQJD0djnJC/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">What house are you with? #winterishere #Longclaw #HouseLongo</a>
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<p style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#c9c8cd; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by evan longoria (@evan.longoria3) on Jul 7, 2017 at 9:33am PDT on
<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-07-07T16:33:56+00:00">Jul 7, 2017 at 9:33am PDT</time></p>
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<p>Unfortunately for Longoria, he's a busy man, and just like some of us, isn't always able to watch "Thrones" the night it airs. This was apparently the case last night, as Longoria <a href="https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/07/24/evan-longoria-game-thrones" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">told Sports Illustrated</a> that after his Sunday game against the Rangers, his family went out to dinner and by the time he and his wife were settled after getting the kids to bed, were too tired to take in that evening's episode.</p>
<p>This led to Longoria being in another relatable, yet unenviable situation — being surrounded by fans of your favorite show when you haven't seen the most recent episode. In an effort to quell any spoilers that might find their way to his ears, Longoria made a white board sign and politely asked his teammates to consider those who hadn't been glued to their televisions watching HBO the night before.</p>
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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/BW7-eWxD6qp/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Couldn't watch the show last night so I have to make sure no one at the yard gives me unwanted updates! #gots7 @hbo</a>
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<p style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:#c9c8cd; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by evan longoria (@evan.longoria3) on Jul 24, 2017 at 10:08am PDT on
<time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-07-24T17:08:01+00:00">Jul 24, 2017 at 10:08am PDT</time></p>
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<p>If there's any Orioles fans sitting on the third base line in Tampa tonight, try throwing some spoilers at Longoria while he's trying to make a play on a ground ball. It might be a good way to grab his attention.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/50-most-dominant-athletes-alive-2017-7" >The 50 most dominant athletes alive</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-avoid-game-of-thrones-spoilers-2017-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-formula-e-formula-one-electric-cars-brooklyn-new-york-2017-7">Inside Formula E — the racing series that only uses electric cars</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/logan-morrison-gary-sanchez-mlb-home-run-derby-2017-7Rays slugger calls out Yankees' Gary Sanchez, blasts MLB after being snubbed from the Home Run Derbyhttp://www.businessinsider.com/logan-morrison-gary-sanchez-mlb-home-run-derby-2017-7
Wed, 05 Jul 2017 10:52:38 -0400Sam Belden
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/595cf5e5a3630ff71a8b7456-832/gettyimages-697337394.jpg" alt="Logan Morrison" data-mce-source="Leon Halip/Getty" /></p><p>Next Monday's Home Run Derby will feature eight of MLB's most exciting stars, but not everyone is thrilled about <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2017-mlb-all-star-game-complete-list-of-the-eight-home-run-derby-participants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this year's lineup</a>.</p>
<p>It seems Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Logan Morrison is frustrated&nbsp;about not being invited to Miami to compete, and he took it out on New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, one of the Derby's participants.</p>
<p>"Gary shouldn't be there,'' said Morrison, <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-logan-morrison-rips-mlb-decision-to-include-gary-sanchez-in-hr-derby/2329334" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according to Marc Topkin</a> of the Tampa Bay Times. "Gary's a great player, but he shouldn't be in the Home Run Derby."</p>
<p>With 14 home runs, Sanchez has the lowest total of anyone&nbsp;in the field. While he has missed time this year, playing in only 52 games, his slugging percentage is still just seventh-best, ahead of&nbsp;only defending champion Giancarlo Stanton.</p>
<p>"I remember when I had 14 home runs,'' Morrison continued. "That was a month and a half ago.''</p>
<p>While Sanchez is one of the game's most prominent&nbsp;young players, it doesn't take a sabermetrics expert to see that Morrison is having a superior power season. This has been the best campaign of the eight-year veteran's career, featuring a career-high 24 home runs, 57 RBI and a .579 slugging percentage. He ranks in the top 10 in the American League in all three categories.</p>
<p>Still, there is logic behind snubbing Morrison. He plays in a small market, and prior to this season, he was primarily known as a journeyman hitter who had failed to deliver on high expectations after a strong minor league career. Sanchez, on the other hand, was the toast of the game last summer, when his breakneck pace helped him set numerous home run records&nbsp;(only to watch them be broken by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cody-bellinger-dodgers-home-run-hitter-2017-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger</a> this year.)</p>
<p>"I'm not disappointed. It's par for the course," Morrison said. "I play for the Rays. I get it. They can't even get my picture right. When they put my name up there they put [teammate] Corey [Dickerson's] picture up there...on MLB Network. When they put up the home run leaders they put Corey's swing on there not mine.''</p>
<p>In light of <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/07/13/baseball-all-star-game-draws-record-low-tv-rating/87042524/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">low television ratings</a> over the past few years, MLB is trying to generate excitement around the Home Run Derby, which explains the Sanchez choice. Morrison's Rays, meanwhile, lag far behind the rest of the league in average attendance.</p>
<p>But while Morrison won't be at the Home Run Derby, there is one consolation: he's still on the American League's Final Vote ballot, consisting of five players vying for one last spot on the All-Star Game roster. Voting closes on Thursday.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/logan-morrison-gary-sanchez-mlb-home-run-derby-2017-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pro-golfer-intense-standoff-tiger-woods-us-open-2017-7">What it's like to go into sudden death with Tiger Woods</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-may-18-2017-5The 3 plays in sports everybody will be talking about todayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-may-18-2017-5
Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/591d828634911b89018b4758-1110/snapshot20170517213342.jpg" alt="Snapshot_20170517_213342" data-mce-source="TNT"></p><p></p>
<p>Good morning! Here are the plays everybody will be talking about Thursday:</p>
<p><strong>The Kevin Kiermaier catch.</strong> One week after letting two ground balls go through his legs, leading to two "Little League home runs" in a single series, Kiermaier got a little of his Gold Glove mojo back Wednesday. Kiermaier sealed the Rays' 7-4 win over the Indians with a game-ending catch, robbing Jason Kipnis of a home run.</p>
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<p><strong>LeBron James elevated on Isaiah Thomas.</strong> Late in the Cavs' Game 1 win over the Celtics, LeBron executed a pretty spin move and drove to the basket. Along the way, Thomas decided he was going to try to stop LeBron. In IT's defense, LeBron did miss the shot (though he would make both free throws), and it was James who came away from the encounter limping. But the image everybody is talking about is both players jumping and Thomas' head getting up only to LeBron's midsection.</p>
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<p><strong>The Mike Hoffman bank shot.</strong> The Senators scored four times in the first period and eventually took a 5-0 lead before beating the Penguins, 5-1, and taking a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Hoffman started the avalanche just 48 seconds in, with a reminder that good things can happen if you just shoot the puck toward the net. Hoffman had an impossible angle — the puck was still behind the goal line — but nicely banked the puck into the net off the pad of Marc-André Fleury.</p>
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</div><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-nba-stars-when-careers-started-2017-5" >Photos of what the stars of the NBA playoffs looked like when their careers started</a></strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-may-18-2017-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-formula-e-formula-one-electric-cars-brooklyn-new-york-2017-7">Inside Formula E — the racing series that only uses electric cars</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/video-tigers-lose-jose-iglesias-throwing-error-2017-4The Tigers lost to the Rays in bizarre fashion when their shortstop tripped over second base on a potential game-winning playhttp://www.businessinsider.com/video-tigers-lose-jose-iglesias-throwing-error-2017-4
Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:51:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/58f8c6a27522ca26008b4cf1-877/2017-04-209-28-35.jpg" alt="2017 04 20_9 28 35" data-mce-source="Sun Sports"></p><p></p>
<p>For a brief moment, it looked like the Detroit Tigers were going to escape an inescapable jam and beat the Tampa Bay Rays until the second-base bag got in the way. To make matters worse for the Tigers, it was a play that probably doesn't happen two years ago.</p>
<p>With the Rays trailing by one in the ninth, they loaded the bases against Tigers closer Francisco Rodriguez and it seemed like, at the worst, the Rays would tie the game and sent it to extra innings. But then Rodriguez struck out Steven Souza Jr. and appeared to get Logan Morrison to hit into a game-ending double-play.</p>
<p>But wait.</p>
<p>Jose Iglesias tripped over the second-base bag on the throw from Ian Kinsler, and then forced a wild throw to first base. Two Rays runners scored and it was game over.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This game always shows you something new.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaysWin?src=hash">#RaysWin</a>! <a href="https://t.co/zvGWLTLR8x">pic.twitter.com/zvGWLTLR8x</a></p>— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/854901172263694336">April 20, 2017</a>
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<p>This play especially notable because it probably would not have happened two years ago, before Major League Baseball outlawed the "neighborhood play." With the neighborhood play, a middle infielder only needed to be reasonably close to the second-base bag when turning a double-play, something umpires allowed out of safety concerns.</p>
<p>In this case, a throw that was slightly off line from Kinsler, combined with Iglesias trying to make sure his foot was still touching the bag, led to him tripping over the bag when he was originally hoping to slide off the bag to his left.</p>
<p>To add insult to injury, or in this case, injury to insult, Iglesias' head collided with Brad Miller's knee. </p>
<p><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/58f8c9be7522ca87088b4bfd-801/2017-04-209-45-57.jpg" alt="2017 04 20_9 45 57" data-mce-source="Sun Sports"></p>
<p>At first it seemed like Iglesias was just staying on the ground out of frustration. So it was several moments before anybody realized he was actually injured. He did eventually get up and walk off the field under his own power. </p>
<p>Here is another view of the play:</p>
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<p> </p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/florida-gators-mascot-saved-young-fan-from-foul-ball-2017-4" >Florida Gators mascot made a spectacular play to save an unsuspecting young fan</a></strong></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/video-tigers-lose-jose-iglesias-throwing-error-2017-4#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-7-people-arya-stark-kill-list-game-of-thrones-hbo-deaths-prayer-2017-8">Here's everyone left on Arya Stark's kill list on 'Game of Thrones'</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-player-nick-franklin-spends-offseasons-driving-uber-2017-2Rays player who has made $3 million in his career spends his offseasons as an Uber driverhttp://www.businessinsider.com/rays-player-nick-franklin-spends-offseasons-driving-uber-2017-2
Sat, 18 Feb 2017 13:18:32 -0500Emmett Knowlton
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/58a4b1205490572c008b4bfb-1500/ap353059217296.jpg" alt="Nick Franklin Rays" data-mce-source="Chris O'Meara/AP"></p><p></p>
<p>MLB Spring Training is upon us, which for most players means an end to an extended vacation that likely featured little beyond some time on the golf course and in the gym. </p>
<p>For Nick Franklin of the Tampa Bay Rays, however, the end of the offseason also means the end of his side-hustle as an Uber driver. </p>
<p>Franklin, who has made $3 million over the course of his career, said he made nine or ten trips driving for Uber around Orlando, and has managed to maintain a solid 4.8 rating.</p>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> INF/OF Nick Franklin said he spent a couple days this offseason as an <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber">@Uber</a> driver, making 9-10 trips </p>— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/831913570833199104">February 15, 2017</a>
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<p> It sounds like this offseason featured fewer Uber trips than in past years:</p>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> Franklin has driven for <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber">@Uber</a> in past offseasons, said he was limited this year timewise but still has 4.8 rating </p>— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/831913917102309376">February 15, 2017</a>
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<p> In October, Franklin <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-nick-franklins-off-season-plans-include-driving---for-uber/2296151">told the Tampa Bay Times</a> that he started driving to cure his offseason boredom. </p>
<p> <span>"I wanted to do something on the weekends because I never really do anything,'' he <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-nick-franklins-off-season-plans-include-driving---for-uber/2296151">said</a>. </span></p>
<p>He even picked up some of his high school buddies. </p>
<p>"I told them I'm just doing it for fun,'' he <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-nick-franklins-off-season-plans-include-driving---for-uber/2296151">added</a>. "I ended up meeting some pretty cool people along the way.''</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-player-nick-franklin-spends-offseasons-driving-uber-2017-2#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/floyd-mayweather-vs-conor-mcgregor-fighters-match-up-boxing-mma-sports-showtime-stats-2017-8">Mayweather vs. McGregor: Here's how the world's best fighters match up</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-player-nick-franklin-spends-offseasons-driving-uber-2017-2Rays player who has made $3 million in his career spends his offseasons as an Uber driver and has a 4.8 ratinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/rays-player-nick-franklin-spends-offseasons-driving-uber-2017-2
Wed, 15 Feb 2017 15:07:48 -0500Emmett Knowlton
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/58a4b1205490572c008b4bfb-1500/ap353059217296.jpg" alt="Nick Franklin Rays" data-mce-source="Chris O'Meara/AP"></p><p></p>
<p>MLB Spring Training is upon us, which for most players means an end to an extended vacation that likely featured little beyond some time on the golf course and in the gym. </p>
<p>For Nick Franklin of the Tampa Bay Rays, however, the end of the offseason also means the end of his side-hustle as an Uber driver. </p>
<p>Franklin, who has made $3 million over the course of his career, said he made nine or ten trips driving for Uber around Orlando, and has managed to maintain a solid 4.8 rating.</p>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> INF/OF Nick Franklin said he spent a couple days this offseason as an <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber">@Uber</a> driver, making 9-10 trips </p>— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/831913570833199104">February 15, 2017</a>
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<p> It sounds like this offseason featured fewer Uber trips than in past years:</p>
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<p>
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> Franklin has driven for <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber">@Uber</a> in past offseasons, said he was limited this year timewise but still has 4.8 rating </p>— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/831913917102309376">February 15, 2017</a>
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<p> In October, Franklin <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-nick-franklins-off-season-plans-include-driving---for-uber/2296151">told the Tampa Bay Times</a> that he started driving to cure his offseason boredom. </p>
<p> <span>"I wanted to do something on the weekends because I never really do anything,'' he <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-nick-franklins-off-season-plans-include-driving---for-uber/2296151">said</a>. </span></p>
<p>He even picked up some of his high school buddies. </p>
<p>"I told them I'm just doing it for fun,'' he <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-nick-franklins-off-season-plans-include-driving---for-uber/2296151">added</a>. "I ended up meeting some pretty cool people along the way.''</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-player-nick-franklin-spends-offseasons-driving-uber-2017-2#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-floyd-mayweather-makes-spends-his-millions-net-worth-conor-mcgregor-boxing-money-luxury-cars-2017-7">How Floyd Mayweather makes and spends his millions</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/joe-maddon-interview-tampa-bay-rays-graduation-demand-2016-10Joe Maddon might not be manager of the Chicago Cubs if a 'ballsy' demand had backfired prior to his first managerial jobhttp://www.businessinsider.com/joe-maddon-interview-tampa-bay-rays-graduation-demand-2016-10
Sat, 29 Oct 2016 19:07:22 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/580e2e09c5240225008b6793-928/gettyimages-98169627.jpg" alt="Joe Maddon" data-mce-source="A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images" /></p><p>The Chicago Cubs are back in the World Series for the first time since 1945, and a lot of credit is being given to Joe Maddon for both his ability to manage a game and his even better ability to manage the culture of a team.</p>
<p>But while it is hard to imagine the Cubs without Maddon now, it might have never have happened if the Tampa Bay Rays didn't concede to a "ballsy" demand by Maddon when he interviewed for their managerial vacancy in 2005.</p>
<p>In November, 2005, the then-Devil Rays had just finished their eighth straight season of at least 90 losses, had&nbsp;parted ways with manager Lou Piniella, and Stuart Sternberg had just taken over as the principal owner. One of the finalists for the vacany managerial position was Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon.</p>
<p>Maddon had lost out on the&nbsp;Boston Red Sox managerial opening after the 2003 season,&nbsp;a job that was coincidentally given to now-Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona. So you'd forgive Maddon if he would be hesitant to make any bold demands of the Devil Rays.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But that is not Maddon's style.</p>
<p>You see, Maddon already had an important appointment during the 2006 season&nbsp;&mdash; his girlfriend's law school graduation&nbsp;<span>&mdash; and Maddon was not going to miss it.</span></p>
<p><span>Here is how Maddon described the demand a few years later for "ESPN the Magazine":</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"One of my favorite Rays memories is my first one. When Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman interviewed me in 2005, I made a special request. 'If I get the job, can I have two days off next May to attend my girlfriend's law school graduation?' Jaye and I weren't married yet.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I know, it was pretty ballsy of me. But they smiled and assured me it would not be a problem. So when I did get the job, I knew I was going to the right place."</p>
<p><span>Curiously, the Devil Rays won both of those games as bench coach Bill Evers filled in against the then-Florida Marlins.</span></p>
<p><span>But it is amazing how history can turn on simple things. Many teams would not have agreed to the demand. If Maddon had not been hired by the Devil Rays, maybe he gets another job elsewhere, or maybe not. But more importantly, even if he were managing another team, maybe he would not have had a weird opt-out in his contract that let him leave the Rays for the Cubs in November, 2015. </span></p>
<p><span>And if that doesn't happen, maybe the Cubs aren't in the 2016 World Series.</span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/la-rams-uniforms-2016-10" >The LA Rams have dropped hints suggesting a radical uniform change that will make a lot of fans happy</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/seattle-seahawks-arizona-cardinals-wacky-6-6-tie-2016-10" >How both the Seahawks and the Cardinals blew chances to win the wackiest game of the NFL season</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/joe-maddon-interview-tampa-bay-rays-graduation-demand-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-formula-e-formula-one-electric-cars-brooklyn-new-york-2017-7">Inside Formula E — the racing series that only uses electric cars</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/joe-maddon-interview-tampa-bay-rays-graduation-demand-2016-10Joe Maddon got his first job as a manager despite making a 'ballsy' demand during the interviewhttp://www.businessinsider.com/joe-maddon-interview-tampa-bay-rays-graduation-demand-2016-10
Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:06:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/580e2e09c5240225008b6793-928/gettyimages-98169627.jpg" alt="Joe Maddon" data-mce-source="A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images" /></p><p>The Chicago Cubs are back in the World Series for the first time since 1945, and a lot of credit is being given to Joe Maddon for both his ability to manage a game and his even better ability to manage the culture of a team.</p>
<p>But while it is hard to imagine the Cubs without Maddon now, it might have never have happened if the Tampa Bay Rays didn't concede to a "ballsy" demand by Maddon when he interviewed for their managerial vacancy in 2005.</p>
<p>In November, 2005, the then-Devil Rays had just finished their eighth straight season of at least 90 losses, had&nbsp;parted ways with manager Lou Piniella, and Stuart Sternberg had just taken over as the principal owner. One of the finalists for the vacany managerial position was Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon.</p>
<p>Maddon had lost out on the&nbsp;Boston Red Sox managerial opening after the 2003 season,&nbsp;a job that was coincidentally given to now-Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona. So you'd forgive Maddon if he would be hesitant to make any bold demands of the Devil Rays.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But that is not Maddon's style.</p>
<p>You see, Maddon already had an important appointment during the 2006 season&nbsp;&mdash; his girlfriend's law school graduation&nbsp;<span>&mdash; and Maddon was not going to miss it.</span></p>
<p><span>Here is how Maddon described the demand a few years later for "ESPN the Magazine":</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"One of my favorite Rays memories is my first one. When Matt Silverman and Andrew Friedman interviewed me in 2005, I made a special request. 'If I get the job, can I have two days off next May to attend my girlfriend's law school graduation?' Jaye and I weren't married yet.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">I know, it was pretty ballsy of me. But they smiled and assured me it would not be a problem. So when I did get the job, I knew I was going to the right place."</p>
<p><span>Curiously, the Devil Rays won both of those games as bench coach Bill Evers filled in against the then-Florida Marlins.</span></p>
<p><span>But it is amazing how history can turn on simple things. Many teams would not have agreed to the demand. If Maddon had not been hired by the Devil Rays, maybe he gets another job elsewhere, or maybe not. But more importantly, even if he were managing another team, maybe he would not have had a weird opt-out in his contract that let him leave the Rays for the Cubs in November, 2015. </span></p>
<p><span>And if that doesn't happen, maybe the Cubs aren't in the 2016 World Series.</span></p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/la-rams-uniforms-2016-10" >The LA Rams have dropped hints suggesting a radical uniform change that will make a lot of fans happy</a></strong></p>
<p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/seattle-seahawks-arizona-cardinals-wacky-6-6-tie-2016-10" >How both the Seahawks and the Cardinals blew chances to win the wackiest game of the NFL season</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/joe-maddon-interview-tampa-bay-rays-graduation-demand-2016-10#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/shark-expert-michael-phelps-raced-real-shark-week-discovery-2017-7">A shark expert explains what would really happen if Michael Phelps raced a live shark</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/blue-jays-rays-troy-tulowitzki-steven-souza-brawl-2016-92 MLB teams nearly brawled when a Blue Jays player tried to compliment an opponent and a teammate got confusedhttp://www.businessinsider.com/blue-jays-rays-troy-tulowitzki-steven-souza-brawl-2016-9
Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:38:11 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57d822fdb0ef97c5098b545b-725/3.png" alt="3" data-mce-source="Sun Sports"></p><p></p>
<p>The Toronto Blue Jays picked up a huge win on Monday night, beating the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-2. But fireworks started immediately after the game, thanks to some weird miscommunication.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays recorded the final out when Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. flied out to center field, just missing a go-ahead two-run home run.</p>
<p>Then, seemingly inexplicably, the benches cleared, and there nearly was a huge brawl on the field until order was restored.</p>
<p>Here's the CliffsNotes version of how the brawl nearly happened:</p>
<ol>
<li>Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin tried to compliment Souza.</li>
<li>Souza misheard Martin, thought he was mad, and tried to apologize to Martin.</li>
<li>Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki thought Souza was mad and came running in with his hair on fire.</li>
</ol>
<p>That's the short version. Now here's the paraphrased version, with many of the details <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/turn-over-lineup-to-kids-rays-dont-have-that-option/2293325" target="_blank">provided by Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times</a>, who spoke with both Martin and Souza after the game.</p>
<p>When Souza hit the long fly ball, he thought it was a home run. He readily admitted after the game that he stood there and watched it a little too long.</p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57d81edeb0ef971c008b54e1-790/1.png" alt="1" data-mce-source="Sun Sports"></p>
<p>According to both Souza and Martin, somewhere between Souza standing at home plate and beginning to run to first, Martin tried to compliment Souza, saying something along the lines of, "I thought you got that one."</p>
<p>"I just told him he crushed that ball," Martin said after the game. "I thought he [hit a home run]."</p>
<p>Souza didn't hear what Martin said and thought he was angry about Souza watching the ball too long.</p>
<p>After the ball was caught, Souza was standing near first base with his hands on his head. At that point, he says he went to apologize.</p>
<p>"I thought Russ was saying something about it, which would have been on me, totally," Souza said. "And I was saying, 'Dude, I'm sorry, I thought I got it.'"</p>
<p>In this clip from Sportsnet, you can see Martin and closer Roberto Osuna are looking in the direction of Souza and at first appear to be confused. Martin appears to say, "I thought you got it," and at that point, it seems as though everything is cleared up.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, Tulowitzki saw this from afar and clearly didn't understand what was going on. He decided to fight first and ask questions later.</p>
<p>Tulowitzki saw Souza and Martin talking and apparently thought they were yelling at each other. He came running in to set the world on fire. Notice that Souza at this point was giving Martin a thumbs-up.</p>
<p><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57d82696b0ef9766008b551f-795/6.png" alt="6" data-mce-source="Sun Sports; Shutterstock"></p>
<p>According to Souza, Tulowitzki said something "below the belt." That's when Souza got angry at Tulowitzki and the benches cleared.</p>
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<p>In Tulowitzki's defense, two pitches before the fly ball Osuna mistakenly thought he struck out Souza on a foul tip that was dropped by the catcher. (He did not see the ball fall.) Osuna started his postgame celebration and had to be interrupted by teammates.</p>
<p>Tulowitzki would not comment after the game. However, it's plausible that he thought Souza was upset about the premature celebration and was yelling at Osuna.</p>
<p>Eventually, order was restored. Souza even sought out Martin to clear the air and again said something akin to "my bad."</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57d822e6b0ef9766008b5501-786/5.png" alt="5" data-mce-source="Sun Sports"></p>
<p>Baseball. It's amazing.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blue-jays-rays-troy-tulowitzki-steven-souza-brawl-2016-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-conor-mcgregor-makes-spends-money-floyd-mayweather-fight-mma-yacht-suit-2017-8">How Conor McGregor makes and spends his millions</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-august-24-2016-8The 3 plays in sports everybody will be talking about todayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-august-24-2016-8
Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:00:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Good morning! Here are the plays everybody will be talking about on Wednesday:</p>
<p><strong>Billy Hamilton uses all his speed to make a great catch.</strong> Hamilton is fast, and he used every ounce of that speed to run nearly a half football field (123 feet) to rob Carlos Beltran of an extra-base hit.</p>
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<p><strong>Yoenis Cespedes made his own spectacular catch.</strong> Cespedes didn't need to run as far, but his catch was even more valuable, as he appeared to rob the Cardinals' Stephen Piscotty of a home run. Maybe the best part of this catch is that Cespedes is able to jump that high while wearing so much jewelry.</p>
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<p><strong>Chris Archer just can't catch a break this year.</strong> Archer was supposed to contend for the Cy Young Award in the American League this year. Instead, on Tuesday he lost his 17th game of the season, 2-1, to the Red Sox. He also lost another battle with his hoodie. Talk about adding insult to injury. Not good.</p>
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<p><strong>The celebration bonus.</strong> Members of the Stanford football team thought they were about to sit through a bunch of boring meetings. Instead, head coach David Shaw surprised them by telling them that buses were there to take them to the movies. Their reaction is priceless.</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">When <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDavidShaw">@CoachDavidShaw</a> cancels meetings because a bus is ready to take the team to the movies. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoStanford?src=hash">#GoStanford</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CardCamp16?src=hash">#CardCamp16</a><a href="https://t.co/myP8WjWoPH">https://t.co/myP8WjWoPH</a></p>— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) <a href="https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status/768224050535538688">August 23, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
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</div></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-august-24-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-spends-money-soccer-futbol-real-madrid-portugal-sports-2016-6">CRISTIANO RONALDO: Here’s how the world’s highest paid athlete makes and spends his money</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-august-5-2016-8The 3 plays in sports everybody will be talking about todayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-august-5-2016-8
Fri, 05 Aug 2016 08:00:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Good morning! Here are the plays everybody will be talking about on Friday.</p>
<p><strong>Now that's using your head.</strong> The Rio 2016 men's soccer tournament got underway Thursday, and the goal of the day came from Marcelo Pereira, who put Honduras up 2-0 in its match against Algeria. Honduras went on to win, 3-2 (<a href="https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">via NBC Olympics</a>).</p>
<p><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>
Marcelo Pereira puts Honduras ahead(er) 2-0 over Algeria.<a href="https://t.co/kmJdkUOupf">https://t.co/kmJdkUOupf</a> <a href="https://t.co/cLAQjJO17x">https://t.co/cLAQjJO17x</a> </p>— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/761298194139484161">August 4, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
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<p><strong>Sometimes you have to make a mistake to make a great play.</strong> Kevin Kiermaier is the reigning Gold Glove center fielder in the American League, and on Thursday he made another incredible catch against the Royals. Of course, this catch is a lot easier if he doesn't overrun the ball to begin with. But a lot of outfielders overrun fly balls. Not all of them can do this (<a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">via the Tampa Bay Rays</a>).</p>
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<p><strong>That's a brutal way to lose a match.</strong> In Europa League action on Thursday, Slovenia side NK Maribor and Scottish side Aberdeen played the second leg of their home-and-home matchup. With the two sides drawing 1-1 in the first match, played in Scotland, Maribor held the away-goals tiebreaker, and Aberdeen needed to score at least a goal to advance. Desperately pushing for that goal in added time, instead it gave up an ugly own goal when a back pass to the keeper took a bad bounce and went over his foot and into his goal. Oh, no! (via ESPN)</p>
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<p> </p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-august-5-2016-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-spends-money-soccer-futbol-real-madrid-portugal-sports-2016-6">CRISTIANO RONALDO: Here’s how the world’s highest paid athlete makes and spends his money</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-28-2016-7The 3 plays in sports everybody will be talking about todayhttp://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-28-2016-7
Thu, 28 Jul 2016 08:00:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p>Good morning! Here are the plays everybody will be talking about on Thursday.</p>
<p><strong>Logan Morrison leaves the field to make a great catch.</strong> Sometimes a baseball field just isn't big enough, and on Wednesday, Logan Morrison of the Tampa Bay Rays went into the stands to make an outstanding catch. Notice how he actually hits the wall <em>before</em> making the grab. That's some incredible concentration.</p>
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<p><strong>Pirates go behind the back for a nifty out.</strong> <span>David Freese showed off some circus skills as he flipped the ball behind his back to Gerrit Cole, who grabbed the ball out of midair with his bare hand and still had the presence of mind to get his foot on the bag for the out. The play is great, but it should come with an asterisk. Freese wouldn't have needed to make the behind-the-back toss if he didn't botch the routine ground ball in the first place. But it was a solid recovery.</span></p>
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<p><strong>Dirk Nowitzki attempted a bicycle kick and failed miserably.</strong> Nowitzki is often seen during the offseason playing in various charity soccer matches. The latest was a <span>celebrity soccer match in honor of race car driver Michael Schumacher, the Formula 1 champion who suffered a serious head injury during a skiing accident in 2013. During the match, Dirk attempted a bicycle kick. At least that's what we think this is. He might have also been shoved to the ground by a ghost (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/sports/" target="_blank">via Reddit/Sports</a>).</span></p>
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<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/v8z1?muted=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;hd=1" width="800" height="440" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>
</div></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/opening-bell-in-sports-july-28-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cristiano-ronaldo-spends-money-soccer-futbol-real-madrid-portugal-sports-2016-6">CRISTIANO RONALDO: Here’s how the world’s highest paid athlete makes and spends his money</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-diamondbacks-mlb-all-star-voting-is-a-joke-2016-7MLB found a way to make All-Star voting even worse than it already ishttp://www.businessinsider.com/rays-diamondbacks-mlb-all-star-voting-is-a-joke-2016-7
Fri, 08 Jul 2016 12:54:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/577fcf1c4321f11b008b6e43-1024/gettyimages-102835503.jpg" alt="Evan Longoria" data-mce-source="Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images" /></p><p></p>
<p>Despite desperate attempts by Major League Baseball to have the All-Star game remain relevant, they found&nbsp;a way to make selecting players for the game&nbsp;an even bigger joke than it already is.</p>
<p>Earlier this week MLB announced the rosters for the All-Star game to be held in San Diego on July 12. As has become the norm in recent years, one spot on each team is still up for grabs in the "Final Vote," in which fans can vote for one of five players in each league to be the final players named to the All-Star game.</p>
<p>The original intent of the Final Vote was to avoid controversies in which managers were "snubbing" more deserving players and to allow the fans to pick the most deserving player.&nbsp;But now, teams with players in the Final Vote have partnered&nbsp;up to scam the voting process and to try to&nbsp;get&nbsp;more votes for their own players, completely nullifying the intent of the vote.</p>
<p>In this situation, <span>two teams partner up to not only promote their own player, but also to ask their fans to vote</span> for a player on one team in the other league. For example, the Rays are asking their fans to vote for Jake Lamb of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and in exchange, the Diamondbacks are asking their fans to vote for Evan Longoria of the Rays.</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/577fc7924321f1e2008b6d4e-1200/2016-07-08_10-28-32.jpg" alt="2016 07 08_10 28 32" data-mce-source="Twitter" /></p>
<p>Selecting players for Major League Baseball's All-Star game is already a broken process.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It's bad enough that the All-Star selection process is just a vote to see which team can get the most fans to vote through social media bombardment, regardless of actual stats or true stardom. It's bad enough that individual fans are freely admitting on social media to voting hundreds and thousands of times for one player. And it is ridiculous that this is really just a marketing campaign for Esurance.</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/577fc42b88e4a74e018b6b8e-800/2016-07-08_10-14-50.jpg" alt="2016 07 08_10 14 50" data-mce-source="Twitter/MLB" /></p>
<p>But now we have teams imploring their fans to vote for a player on another team in exchange for more votes for their own player.</p>
<p>The counter-argument is that All-Star game should be for "stars" just as much as it is for the best players, and one way to define stars is by popularity. That's fine if it is one vote per fan, which is clearly not the case, something the teams are even promoting.</p>
<p><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/577fc94d4321f122008b6dc6-800/2016-07-08_10-36-38.jpg" alt="2016 07 08_10 36 38" data-mce-source="Twitter" /></p>
<p>Another argument is that teams like the Diamondbacks and Rays are at a huge disadvantage when their player is going up against players from more popular teams like the Red Sox or Giants. That would be fine if the two most popular teams with players in the Final Vote weren't teaming up to promote each other's players.</p>
<p><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/577fd67b4321f1f5018b6dd2-830/2016-07-08_11-32-01.jpg" alt="2016 07 08_11 32 01" data-mce-source="Twitter" /></p>
<p>The other big argument is that it is harmless. It is just a fun way to get the fans involved and the ultimate result doesn't matter. If that's the case, then don't make home-field advantage for the World Series depend on which league wins the All-Star game.&nbsp;It is these final players on the roster who will be playing in the eighth and ninth inning of the All-Star game and who could help decide where Game 7 of the World Series will be played.</p>
<p>It can't be both ways. You can't argue that the voting is meaningless and then say the game means something. Either make the game a true exhibition&nbsp;&mdash; in which case it wouldn't matter if ground sloths picked the rosters&nbsp;<span>&mdash; or make the game meaningful and use&nbsp;an All-Star selection committee. </span></p>
<p><span>In a lot of ways, MLB's All-Star game is a lot like the NFL's catch rule. In an attempt to avoid the occasional fluky controversy, both leagues overly complicated something that doesn't need to be complicated. In both cases, the end result has created far more controversy than the controversies they were trying to avoid. And that's too bad.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/rays-diamondbacks-mlb-all-star-voting-is-a-joke-2016-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jordan-spieth-masters-golf-pga-open-champion-2017-7">Everything you need to know about 23-year-old golf phenom Jordan Spieth — who just won his third major</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-motter-coastal-carolina-win-college-world-series-2016-6Great video shows an MLB player from tiny Coastal Carolina watching the final out of the College World Series during warm-upshttp://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-motter-coastal-carolina-win-college-world-series-2016-6
Thu, 30 Jun 2016 19:06:43 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5775a62188e4a79f178b5475-930/2016-06-30_18-03-54.jpg" alt="2016 06 30_18 03 54" data-mce-source="Twitter/Tampa Bay Rays"></p><p></p>
<p>Coastal Carolina, a school with fewer than 10,000 students in Conway, South Carolina, won its first NCAA championship in any sport when it beat Arizona in Game 3 of the College World Series on Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p><span>The school is so new to the national baseball scene that it has just one former player among the about 800 players on active Major League Baseball rosters: rookie utility player Taylor Motter of the Tampa Bay Rays.</span></p>
<p><span>Motter was in the middle of warm-ups when the Rays put the end of the College World Series game on the videoboard in the outfield. The team captured this cool video of Motter watching the final strike and then ripping off his warm-up jacket to reveal a Coastal Carolina T-shirt.</span></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/taylormotter7">@taylormotter7</a> is the only Chanticleer on an <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB">@MLB</a> active roster. When <a href="https://twitter.com/CoastalBaseball">@CoastalBaseball</a> won the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CollegeWorldSeries?src=hash">#CollegeWorldSeries</a>: <a href="https://t.co/JfEmUiuOQQ">pic.twitter.com/JfEmUiuOQQ</a></p>— #VoteRays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/748617557322653696">June 30, 2016</a>
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<p>Here is another view of Motter and his shirt in a video congratulating his school:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/CoastalBaseball">@CoastalBaseball</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/taylormotter7">@taylormotter7</a> has something to tell you: Congrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CollegeWorldSeries?src=hash">#CollegeWorldSeries</a> champs! <a href="https://t.co/quPpI0F9Jc">pic.twitter.com/quPpI0F9Jc</a></p>— #VoteRays (@RaysBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/748628753417396224">June 30, 2016</a>
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</div></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/taylor-motter-coastal-carolina-win-college-world-series-2016-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/tampa-bay-rays-tommy-john-surgery-recovery-2016-6The Tampa Bay Rays came up with a simple and brilliant way to help pitchers better recover from Tommy John surgeryhttp://www.businessinsider.com/tampa-bay-rays-tommy-john-surgery-recovery-2016-6
Fri, 03 Jun 2016 12:59:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5751b57652bcd026008c6c9d-1185/ap_410948176987.jpg" alt="AP_410948176987" data-mce-source="Steve Nesius/AP" /></p><p>The last few years have seen a surge in Tommy John surgeries, and while many debate the causes, one of the most difficult things any player can go through is the recovery.</p>
<p>The Tampa Bay Rays may have just come up with a simple way to make that recovery process easier: Get the pitcher a partner.</p>
<p>In May of last season, both Alex Cobb of the Tampa Bay Rays and Chase Whitley of the New York Yankees had Tommy John surgery within a week of each other. In November, with the Yankees trying to free up roster spots, the Rays claimed Whitley off of waivers.</p>
<p>At the time, the move was looked at as a buy-low move typical of the low-revenue Rays. But it turns out the Rays may have also had a second motive, one based on the idea that both pitchers would be on the same 14-month to 15-month recovery schedule.</p>
<p>Cobb was recently a guest on the "<a href="http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/fan_forum/podcasts/index.jsp?c_id=tb" target="_blank">This Week in Rays Baseball</a>" podcast with Neil Solondz and the pair discussed his recovery from Tommy John surgery.&nbsp;According to Cobb, Whitley is convinced that he was only claimed by the Rays to help Cobb during his recovery and according to Cobb it is something every team should try to do.</p>
<p>"We joke a lot&nbsp;&mdash; he jokes about it more than I do&nbsp;&mdash; but he&rsquo;s convinced that they let me bring him in as&nbsp;my little pet to kind of motivate me and play along with me to&nbsp;keep me focused," Cobb told Solondz. "If every organization could somehow do this or somehow pull this off it would definitely help both of those guys going through it."</p>
<p>Cobb further explained that it is immensely helpful to have Whitley there during the workouts.</p>
<p>"Every day with Chase Whitley, we&rsquo;re working with each other every single day, motivating each other, pushing each other to get better, not just on the throwing aspect, but on the physical aspect of getting stronger, getting better endurance," Cobb said. "That&rsquo;s a huge bonus for me."</p>
<p>In this age of Tommy John surgeries, one of the common themes heard when pitchers discuss the recovery is how helpful it can be just to talk to other pitchers who have already gone through the procedure. On the one hand, the recovery can be a lonely existence for an athlete in a sport where you are used to being among teammates every day for 7 months to 8 months. On top of that, there are the mental hurdles associated with learning to pitch again and the fear of another injury.</p>
<p>It may not always be possible to find a second pitcher who was injured at the same time, but it seems like a simple thing to do if available, and it wouldn't be surprising to see more teams doing it.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/tampa-bay-rays-tommy-john-surgery-recovery-2016-6#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/adaptoys-lets-paralyzed-people-play-baseball-2016-5">A company created a way for paralyzed people to play baseball</a></p>